Lawn sprinkler



ZEZZW H. W. WEB

LAWN SPRINKLER Jam 14,, 319360 Filed June 15, 1934 INVENTOR. OLJTE/N14/. 14/555 BY A TTORNE Y.

Patented Jan. 14, 1936 usrrso sT TEs iATENT OFFICE 19 Claims.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to lawn sprinklers.

While the term lawn sprinkler includes any and all devices forsprinkling lawns, borders, hedges, etc. in any manner, the presentinvention is more particularly concerned. with the mobile surface-pipetype which is adapted to be moved to a selected spot and there left fora short time until shifted to another selected spot, or cut off. One ofthe most widely known sprinklers of such type is the Skinner sprinklerwhich comprises a pipe length of twelve to eighteen feet or otherdesired size, to feed or supply the water to the nozzles. In practice,this pipe is mounted at one end on wheels or skids: for easy handling.Throughout its length, it is provided with a plurality of small nozzleseach with a threaded nipple to be turned into a corresponding bore inthe pipe wallas indicated in Fig. 3. In assembly, these nozzles aredistributed throughout the surface of the pipe to dispose the jets,etc., as may be desired. Each nozzle is formed with a spray head orblock having a plurality of removable spray surfaces, in some forms. Inthe Skinner, the spray surface is integral with the head. One typenozzle gives a simple jet, as through a small diameter free passage. Asecond presents a surface which intercepts the jet and spreads itfan-like. A third presents a broader surface at a sharper angle whichbreaks the jet into fine spray or mist over a wide low arc. Each nozzleis adapted to give but a single and unvarying deliveryjet, spray, mist,etc. In order to change that, the nozzle must be changed, in Skinner, orthe block on the nozzles must be changed in the others. That, of course,applies to each and every nozzle, any group of nozzles, and the entireset of nozzles. And too, it is obvious that the nozzles can not bechanged during operation without getting the operator wet. Again, if itshould be desired to give. different types of-spray and/r mist from thesame pipe length or sprinkler, at the same time, as many sets of nozzlesas types of spray and/or mist, will be required. And, of course, whenso-arranged, that particular assembly or set up becomes fixed andpermanent until another assembly is made up for a changed distribution.In the Skinner and analogous systems, separate nozzles or separatesurfaces are used for each respective type of spray, jet, or mist asdisclosed by the following U. S. Patents:-868,775; 1,954,863; 1,639,162;1,805,782; 1,837,595; with which I am fully familiar. I am also familiarwith U, S. Patents 977,748 and 1,795,807.

The present invention avoids all of the above objections and many othersand provides a simple, compact, eflicient and economical construction,arrangement and assembly of a single set of nozzles adapted to provideany..des ired delivery or combination of deliveries, and to 'varyi thatdelivery in any desired manner during operation; and this without theremoval of any v nozzle.

In order to more clearly disclose the construction, operation and use ofthe invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawingforming part of this application. Throughout the several figures of thedrawing like reference characters designate the same parts in thedifferent views.

In the drawing:-

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of one of the nozzles of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1, looking toward its right side,with spring omitted;

Fig. 3 is a cross section on line 33 of Fig. 1, looking in the directionof the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross section of a modification of the nipple ofthe nozzle;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the connection for operating aplurality of the nozzles simultaneously;

Fig. 6 is a plan view, reduced, of a plurality of nozzles assembled andconnected for simultaneous operation, only a few being shown, and;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of thewire-pull adjustment.

It is known, of course, that a jet of water impinging upon a surface ischanged and that the resulting character of the delivery is dependentupon the surface impinged. When the jet impinges a fiat narrow surfaceapproaching parallellism to the axis of the jet, the resulting deliverybecomes an elongated narrow fan. When the surface is widened and turnedat a greater angle toward the jet axis, the resulting fan is shortenedand widened. Continuing in the same way, results in fine mist of verybroad and feathery fans. And so, as between the uninterrupted jet andthe line mist type of delivery, there may be a wide range of variationsaccording to individual wishes, provided the right defleeting orimpingement surfaces are provided or available.

By the present invention, any one of a group of such surfaces isinstantly available, either individually, in groups, or as an entireset. For

purposes of illustration, but without in any degree limiting thisapplication, the individual nozzles have been shown as provided withonefree passage or straight jet channel and two impingement surfaces, oneadapted to give a long-=radius medium-width fans delivery spray and theother a very short-radius approximately maximumwidth fan delivery ormist. These are the three types of delivery most regularly in generaluse.

I shall first describe the individual nozzles, without regard to groupor plural operation; following that with description of such groups andplural operation.

Referring to the drawing in detail, indicates the usual and well knownmobile sprinkler pipe one end of which usually is, though notessentially, mounted on wheels or skids, for readily moving from pointto point. It is provided with the usual threaded openings for the usualnipples. As is well known, the friction on a jet of Water through asmall diameter opening is surficient to appreciably reduce its delivery,even in the shortest practicable bore. As the length of bore increases,friction increases in well known ratio, with corresponding decrease indelivery. To reducethis friction to the minimum and correspondinglyincrease the efliciency in delivery, the present invention provides thethinnest practical wall' through which the jet must issue, therebygiving the shortest practical jet-bore. This is clearly shown in Figs. 3and l, in which 3 represents the nipple, 5- the wall through which thejet issues and 5 the jet passage. It will be noticed that the nipple isof sufiicient length to project a considerable distance,proportionately, into the interior of the pipe 5. It has been found thatscale and sediment is greatest at the point where the nipple passes trough the pipe. By extending the nipple inwardly beyond this point, itclears this scale and sediment and projects into the clear watercurrent. The modification of Fig. 4 is a further protection againstscale and sediment. In that form, the wall 4 constitutes the inner endof the nipple, thereby eliminating any cavity or pocket in which anysediment or scale may possibly collect. In addition, the outer surfaceof the inward nipple-end is rounded or convexed as at 6, to furtheravoid any possibility of scale or sediment lodging thereon. The inwardedge of the nipple in the other form may be similarly rounded for a likepurpose, of course.

Nipple 3 carries plate 1 on which is rotatably mounted a deliverycontrol, spray forming block 8. The axis of rotation of block 8 is apost or pin 9 which is threaded into the plate 7 and is provided with astop or limit shoulder iii to prevent binding of the block 8 against theplate 7 when the pin is turned up tight. But, to give a yieldingfrictional hold or contact between i and 8, a coil spring i2 isprovided. This is disposed about the pin 9 below head H and engages anannular inner shoulder l3. Spring 12 is of suitcient strength to forcethe block 8 into frictional holding contact with plate so thatappreciable though not great force is required to rotate the block.Thus, a yielding, frictional hold is provided to maintain the block inadjusted positions. For more positively holding the block in definiteselected positions, a knob M is provided on plate '1 adapted tocooperate, selectively, with and be seated in any one of severalcorresponding small sockets it formed in the adjacent or contacting faceor surface of block 8.

These sockets and the knob It are so positioned, relatively to eachother and to the jet bore or passage, as to aline the center of therespective deflector face and the jet bore, in the same circumferentialplane of the pipe, whenever a socket is seated over the knob. 01:, itmay be stated that, in operative assembled relation, when a socket isseated over the knob, the axis of the jet bore and the center line ofthe then operative deflector face of the block will lie in the sameplane which is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the pipe.Block 8, preferably, is formed as an inverted frusto-cone, with itslarger diameter up. Vlhen assembled, the smaller circumference extendsradially beyond bore 5 and closes it.

For simplicity and clearness, only three operative surfaces are shown onthe block. It may, of course, have a greater number and it may havesurfaces of different constructions than those illustrated. Theapplication is not limited to either the number shown or to theparticular type of construction of faces shown. As shown, block 8 isprovided with a groove or chan nel 15 which, when turned into operativeposition, .as in the drawing, provides a free and clear passage for thejet issuing through the passage 5, so that there is a long round jetexactly as though there were no block 8. The

face of block 8 is cut back, channeled or grooved deep enough to haveits face or wall clear of and slightly spaced from the issuing jet. Ateither side of this jet channel, is a delivery regulating surface or jetimpingment face. One of these faces ll may be referred to as the spraysurface. It is made by passing a plane inwardly and downwardly from apoint on the upper circumference to and through such a cord of the lowercircumference as will, in the rotation of the block uncover the end ofthe jet bore 5, when the impingement face i1 reaches operative position.This provides a relatively long narrow elliptical surface projectingabove and in the path of the issuing jet which impinges against it. Theangle of impingement is slight. The solid jet is slightly deflectedcircumferentially of the pipe I and spread into long narrow fan-shapedspray circumferentially narrow and radially long. The second impingementsurface is similarly made by passing a plane at an angle of sharperdegree to the face of the block 8, through the block, entering at apoint between the upper and lower faces and cutting the lower face orcircle by substantially the same length cord. As here shown, the pointof entry of the cutting plane is approximately half way between the topand bottom of block 8. The resulting impingement surface I8 iselliptical but of much greater or flatter curvature than face 11. Itprojects into the path of the jet at a much sharper angle. Impin ementagainst it is sudden and abrupt, the force of the impingement creat ng amist which is dispersed in a circumferentially broad and radially shortare or fine, wide, feathery fan.

Block 8 may be provided with a tail or handle is by which it may berotated, overcoming the action of spring 12, from one position toanother to selectively present anyone of the three surfaces. It is to beunderstood, of course, that the surfaces may be arranged in differentorder or succession than here given, that different surfaces than hereillustrated may be used, and that a greater number and variety of facesor surfaces may be used. And, obviously, the rotatable block may becylindrical, polygonal, or of other shape instead of frusto-conical. Theimpingement surfaces would be formed accordingly, of course, to give thedesired effect, the spray, or mist, in all instances being directedcircumferentially of the pipe by the surfaces H and E8 or other surfacesperforming the corresponding functions.

A plurality of these assemblies are mounted on each pipe i. In fact,they are mounted on pipe i in just the same way and to the same numberas are the well known Skinner nozzles. Or to put it a littledifferently, for each Skinner single-action nozzle may be substituted,in just the same way, one of my multiple action nozzles. Assume a pipe Ifully equipped from end to end with a complete set of my multiple actionnozzles. For simple straight jets they are all set with channels it inoperative position; for spray,

with impingement surfaces I1 in operative positions; and for mist withimpingement surfaces ill in operative position. Or, obviously, any twoor all three types of delivery may be produced from the same pipe bymerely correspondingly adjusting the blocks. Very beautiful and artisticeifects may be had by such combinations, in addition to the utilitarianvalue.

For simultaneously operating them in multiple, each tail is may beconnected to a single operating means carried by the pipe i. Thiscomprises a reciprocable wire 29 passing freely through the slot tilt ofa clamping block or jaw 25 and held under tension by a spring 22disposed about one end of the wire and held under compression between ahead, block or the like on the wire end, and a supporting clamp 28,secured in well known manner to pipe I. Wire is, of course, passesfreely through clamp 24, as shown. The opposite end of the wire 2 is,after passing through a key-hole slot 25 of a clamp 26, provided with apull handle 21. Wire 2i) is provided with a set of stops in the form ofcollars or washers 28 which may be secured at any desired point on wire26 by set screws 29 or the like. The large opening of the key-hole isgreat enough to permit passage of the stops but the small opening willnot, though it will permit passage of the wire, all as will be readilyunderstood. It will be clear then, that a pull on handle 2'1 will drawthe wire 29 against the force of the spring 22. As soon as the firstcollar or stop 28 passes through its key-hole, the wire may be droppedso that the collar will be engaged by or against the clamp 26 and thewire held. Further pull may bring the second stop into similar holdingposition. When completely released, the spring 22 will return the wirein the opposite direction. To prevent too far a return, a stop 28 issimilarly secured near the opposite end of the wire and positioned toengage clamping bracket 24 if the pull of the spring 22 would tend topull or carry the wire too far in that direction.

Each tail 19 has a free swivelling connection with one of the blocks 2!by means of a headed bolt (ill. Bolt 39 passes upwardly, in free turningor swivelling relation, through a suitable hole in the respective tail,its head 3| acting as an upward stop or limit and has its upper end 32threaded into the block in such relation and to such extent as to engageand clamp the wire as in slot Hill of the respective block 2!. Inassembling for simultaneous operation by the pull wire 2!), the wire isfirst released so that the spring is under least compression and thestop at that end engages the clamp 24. Next, each individual block 8 isadjusted to the dewith the surface every tail in its sired position. Forinstance, it in operative position and extreme position toward theright. Now, the wire is slipped into the slots in the blocks 25 andclamped by tightening the respective screw bolts 35. A pull on thehandle 2! draws the first stop 28 through the key-hole slot 25 and turnsall blocks 8 to cut off the surface i8 and bring into play the jetopening or channel it of each. This is the position shown in Fig. 6. Afurther pull to the next stop cuts off all jets and brings into play allsprays from surfaces 5?. By releasing the wire to the action of thespring it will be returned in the opposite direction to the startingpoint or position, with all mist surfaces It in operative positions. Insuch battery or gang assemblies, the stops 28 are sufficient and theknobs Hi with cooperating sockets may be omitted, if desired. It is, ofcourse, obvious that a greater or less num ber of the tails may be leftunclamped and unaffected by the wire pull. It is equally clear that theblocks need not all be set for the same type of jet, spray or mist, atthe start. Some may be set for one and some for another. If they are setdifferently, as originally connected, then each operation of the wirewill simply change all of them to the next respective posi tion withcorresponding change in respective jet, spray, etc. Clearly, other formsof stops may be used for the wire.

The great advantage of the simple swivel of bolts 3%? in tails I9 isavoidance of substantially all twisting, bending, kinking, etc, of thewire 29. As the tails l9 swing about pins 9, the wire does not bend orcurve, except very inapprociably near each end between that respectiveend and the point where the adjacent arm it is connected to the wire.Instead, except as stated, it moves in a straight line toward or fromthe pins 9 throughout its whole length. Its movement is parallel to pipei. The extreme travel toward or from pipe i is only slight, and isreadily accommodated by the flexibility of the wire and the spring 22.

It will be noticed that the wire is pulled in both directions. For thatson a wire is practical and a rod is not required. No stiffness isnecessary.

It is believed that the and use of the invention will be precedingdetailed description.

Many changes may be in the construction, arrangement and disposition ofthe various parts of the invention within the scope of the appendedclaims, without departing from the field of the invention, and it ismeant to include all such within this application wherein only apreferred form and single modification of one detail have beenillustrated, purely by way of example and with no right of in any degreelimiting the applica in thereby or thereto.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protectby Letters Patent 1. A sprinkler nozzle comprising a nipple providedwith a jet delivery a plate carried thereby, and a block rotc ublymounted on said plate and provided with plurality of deliverycontrolling surfaces direoted radially or the axis of rotation, andadapted to be selectively positioned. to intercept an impinging jetissuing through the aforesaid passage.

2. A sprinkler nozzle comprising a nipple provided with a jet deliverypassage, a plate carried construction, operation clear from the passage.

3. A sprinkler nozzle comprising an elongated nipple having a restrictedshort jet-bore, a plate carried thereby, a block rotatably mounted onsaid plate and provided with a plurality of delivery controllingsurfaces directed radially of the axis of rotation of said block andselectively extending across the projected axis of said jetbore, andmeans for securing said block in selected adjusted positions. I

4. A sprinkler nozzle comprising a nipple, a plate carried thereby, anda block rotatable on said plate and provided with a plurality ofinclined and radially directed delivery controlling surfaces.

5. A sprinkler nozzle comprising a nipple, a plate carried thereby, ablock rotatable on said plate and provided with a plurality of inclinedand radially directed delivery controlling surfaces, and means forselectively securing said blocks in adjusted positions.

6. In combination, a supply pipe, a plurality of nipples adapted to besecured therein, aplate carried by each nipple, a block rotatable oneach plate and provided with a plurality of radially directed deliverycontrolling surfaces, and means for selectively securing said blocks inadjusted positions.

'7. A sprinkler nozzle comprising an elongated nipple provided with aninwardly convexed inner end, a plate carried thereby, and a blockrotatably mounted on said plate and provided with a plurality ofdelivery controlling surfaces directed radially of the axis of rotationof said block.

8. In combination, a supply pipe, a plurality of nipples adapted to besecured thereto, a plate carried by each nipple, a block rotatable oneach. plate and provided with a plurality of circumferentially extendingradially directed delivery controlling surfaces, and means for securingeach of said blocks, respectively, in adjusted positions.

9. In combination, a supply pipe, a plurality of nipples adapted to besecured therein, a plate carried by each nipple, a block rotatablymounted on each plate and provided with a plurality of radially directeddelivery controlling surfaces, and means for simultaneously rotatingsaid blocks.

10. In combination, a supply pipe, a plurality of nipples adapted to besecured therein and each having a jet delivery passage therethrough aplate carried by each nipple, a block rotatably mounted on each plateand provided with a plurality of radially directed delivery controllingsurfaces, and means for simultaneously rotating said blocks in eitherdirection to selectively present respective delivery controllingsurfaces of said blocks to respective impinging jets.

11. In combination, a supply pipe, a plurality of nipples adapted to besecured therein and each having a jet deliver passage therethrough, aplate carried by each nipple, a block rotatably mounted on each plateand provided with a plurality of radially directed delivery controllingsurfaces, and means for simultaneously rotating said blocks step-by-stepto selectively present respective delivery controlling surfaces of saidblocks to respective impinging jets.

12. In combination, a supply pipe, a plurality of nipples adapted to besecured therein and each having a jet delivery passage therethrough, aplate carried by each nipple, a block rotatably mounted on each plateand provided with a plurality of radially directed delivery controllingsurfaces, means for simultaneously rotating said blocks, and means forselectively securing said blocks in adjusted positions to selectivelypresent respective delivery controlling surfaces of said blocks torespective impinging jets.

13. In combination, a supply pipe, a plurality of nipples adapted to besecured therein and each having a jet delivery passage therethrough, aplate carried by each nipple, a block rotatably mounted on each plateand provided with a plurality of radially directed delivery controllingsurfaces, and means for simultaneously rotating a plurality of saidblocks to selectively present respective delivery controlling surfacesof said blocks to respective impinging jets.

14. In combination, a supply pipe, a plurality of nipples adapted to besecured therein and each having a jet delivery passage therethrough, aplate carried by each nipple, a block rotatably mounted on each plateand provided with a plurality of radially directed delivery controllingsurfaces, a pull wire, and means for connecting each block to said pullwire for simultaneous operation of all said blocks to selectivelypresent respective delivery controlling surfaces of said blocks torespective impinging jets.

15. In combination, a supply pipe, a plurality of nipples adapted to besecured therein and each having a jet delivery passage therethrough, aplate carried by each nipple, a block rotatably mounted on each plateand provided with a plurality of radially directed delivery controllingsurfaces, a pull Wire, means for connecting each block to said wire forsimultaneous operation of all said blocks, and means for securing saidwire in adjusted positions to selectively present respective deliverycontrolling surfaces of said blocks to respective impinging jets.

16. In combination, a supply pipe, a plurality of nipples adapted to besecured therein and each having a jet through, a plate carried by eachnipple, a block rotatably mounted on each plate and provided with aplurality of radially directed delivery controlling surfaces, a pullWire, and swivel connections between each block and said pull Wire forsimultaneous operation of said blocks to selectively present respectivedelivery controlling surfaces of said blocks to respective impin ingjets.

17. In combination, a supply pipe, a plurality of nipples adapted to besecured therein and each having a jet delivery passage therethrough, aplate carried by each nipple, a block rotatably mounted on each plateand provided with a plurality of radially directed delivery controllingsurfaces, a pull wire operable alternately in opposite directions,swivel connections between the respective blocks and said wire forsimultaneous operation of the blocks connected thereto and means forsecuring said pull wire in adjusted positions to selectively presentrespective delivery controlling surfaces of said blocks to respectiveimpinging jets.

18. In combination, a supply pipe, a plurality of nipples adapted to besecured therein and delivery passage there-:

each having a jet delivery passage therethrough, a plate carried by eachnipple, a block rotatably mounted on each plate andprovided with aplurality of radially directed. delivery controlling surfaces, a pullwire operable alternatively in opposite directions, swivel connectionsbetween the respective blocks and said pull Wire for simultaneousoperation of the blocks connected thereto to selectively presentrespective delivery controlling surfaces of said blocks to respectiveimpinging jets, stops carried by said wire, and means engaged by saidstops for holding said pull wire in adjusted positions.

19. In combination, a supply pipe, a plurality of nipples adapted to besecured therein and each having a jet delivery passage therethrough, aplate carried by each nipple, a block rotatably mounted on each plateand provided with a plurality of radially directed delivery controllingsurfaces, a pull wire operable alternatively in opposite directions,swivel connections between said respective blocks and the wire toselectively present respective delivery controlling surfaces of saidblocks to respective impinging jets, stops carried by said wire, meansfor adjusting said stops, and means engaged by said stops for holdingsaid pull wire in adjusted positions. I

HOLSTEIN W. WEBB.

